Chiefs coach a relieved man

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic was satisfied with his side's performance as they kept themselves in the race for Premiership honours with a crucial 2-1 win over Platinum Stars in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg, on Saturday night.

Coming off a shock defeat to strugglers Black Leopards in their previous league match, another loss would have stunted Amakhosi's challenge for their first championship in seven years, but after enduring a late surge from the hosts, they managed to hold out.

"It was a very difficult game for us, psychologically, but we came through," Vermezovic said.

"It was an important win for us.

"We will rest tomorrow [Sunday] and Monday, and then we'll start preparing for our Nedbank Cup match against Free State Stars next weekend."

Chiefs stand-in captain Siphiwe Tshabalala believed the glamour side had the legs to go all the way in the title race.

"We still believe we can win the league," said the Bafana Bafana midfielder.

"We're taking it one game at a time and the three points tonight will really help us a lot."

Stars coach Cavin Johnson lamented the goal from Lehlohonolo Majoro that put the hosts on the back foot as early as the third minute.

Abia Nale doubled the margin for the visitors after 25 minutes before Patrick Malokase came on for Stars to net their consolation strike in the 76th minute.

"We gave away a cheap goal early on and were unable to settle in the first half," Johnson said.

"We should have scored at least two more goals in the second half, but the luck was not with us today and we lost out on the points."

SuperSport United, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief after ending a six-game winless streak to beat Wits 2-1 in Atteridgeville, also keeping them in title contention.

United had been blunt in front of goal in recent matches and needed a fortunate own goal from Wits keeper Emille Baron to get them going as they earned three crucial points in the fixture.

"We had a bit of luck with the first goal," said United skipper Morgan Gould.

"It has been tough not converting goals lately.

"The atmosphere is now confident and we'd be stupid not to think that we are in contention for the league."

Elsewhere, Moroka Swallows narrowly missed out on a chance to climb to the top of the standings after drawing 2-2 away to Ajax Cape Town.

The Birds fought back from two goals down to salvage a point.

Golden Arrows stunned Free State Stars with a 2-0 victory in KwaMashu.